A remarkable popular history of the English Civil War, from the perspectives of those involved in this most significant turning point in British history.

This compelling history of the English Civil War, culminating in the execution of Charles I, brings to life the people who fought in it, died in it, and in doing so changed the history of the world forever. Drawing on exciting new sources including letters, memoirs, ballads, plays, illustrations and material from private collections, Purkiss tells the story of this critical era not just in terms of the battle of ideas, but as the histories of the people who conceived them.

Purkiss peoples her book with fascinating, rich characters: from the obstinate king to his articulate opponents such as John Milton and Lord Saye; from those whose reputations were made on the back of this violent and brutal war such as Oliver Cromwell, Lady Eleanor Davies, witchfinders and revolutionaries; and ultimately the ordinary men who fought the wars and the ordinary women that lived with its tragedies.

The civil war's dramatic glories and its limitations not only changed the lives of those who lived through those troubled times, but continue to have a hold on our lives today. The resolution of fundamental questions about the values that society holds dear are still the guiding principles of our social and political organisation.

This important book uncovers forgotten lives and illustrates incisively the critical contribution of this extraordinary period in English history to contemporary politics and society.